Earlier this week, did you spend hours watching the news one the Weather Channel as Tropical Storm Sandy approached New York? Did you and your family rush to read the news each morning when you awoke this week? Extraordinary events make reading the news feel like a very urgent and important activity. However, even when we don't have a hurricane "breathing down our backs," reading and thinking about the news is an important activity!

I highly encourage you to "make up" your own current events assignment this weekend! I've included some suggestions and resources below, or you can come up with your own idea. The important thing is that you're READING, thinking, and forming judgements about the news you encounter.

Current Events Response Suggestions:1) You can follow our usual current events format: Write a two paragraph response about a news article, with the first paragraph a short (~5 sentence summary) and the second paragraph a longer opinion-based response. You can write the response on looseleaf paper or type it up, and I will staple it into your current events notebook. You will receive a score on this assignment, as per usual, plus an additional extra credit point for voluntarily taking on this extra assignment.

2) You can post your current events written response to the internet, via the comments section below! Then everyone can read your wonderful writing. You will also receive a grade on your typed responses (plus extra credit), and I will print out your response and add it to your current events notebook.

3) You can create your own video news report about a major event, with yourself acting as the reporter. (You'll need to get a family member to help film you giving your news report.) Write a script for your news report ahead of time, and practice reading your report smoothly and with expression prior to filming it. You can email video news reports to me at teacher@alyciazimmerman.com. (Please do not use my regular email address; it cannot accept large files.) Also please let me know if you want your video posted online here on the website, or if you just want it shown to the class on Monday.

4) Create a PowerPoint, a poster, or a written report that summarizes the all of the news about Tropical Storm Sandy. You can include research about hurricanes in general, or just stick with the news about this storm. You can share your project with the class next week.

Places to Find News for Current Events for your Assignments:

Scholastic News Online (Click here for the most recent issue.) For a Scholastic News article about Hurricane Sandy, click here.

Boy have I missed you over this last week! We are living through an unprecedented event. New York City Public Schools have never been closed this long due to a storm. I hope you're all staying safe and finding creative ways to exercise your bodies and minds. When we return to school on Monday, I can't wait to hear about all of the interesting things you've learned at home this week!

I know we'd all love to hear about how things are going at your home. Did your family lose power? Are you at your apartment or did you have to move somewhere else during the storm? Have you seen any examples of people helping one another? Have you learned any interesting facts about hurricanes?

I strongly encourage you to use the comments section below to write a response about the hurricane. The entire class will be able to see your response - it will be public - so please take the time to edit your writing. Also, please do NOT post any personal information like your specific address or contact information. Your first name is fine, but please have an adult check over your comment before you hit "submit."

I can't wait to read all about your Hurricane Sandy adventures! See you soon!Mrs. Zimmerman